Dave and Fumie's Wedding Day... December 28th 2014

Last day with the Jaguar Sovereign

Our last day with the Jaguar

I traded the Jaguar in, as part of a downsizing exercise. However I was able to use the Jaguar as the wedding car for my son David's wedding to the lovely Fumie.

One less drama...

I bit the bullet and ordered from SNG Barratt in the UK a new ignition cylinder. I ordered it online last Friday. It was sent last Monday via UPS, travelled via Staffordshire and then Leicestershire, then went via Koeln (Cologne), in Germany,then Dubai, then Melbourne and arrived in Adelaide, (getting lost slightly when the delivery went astray). I got it Friday afternoon. I had it installed this morning (Sunday) by a specialist automotive locksmith. Hopefully no dramas, now as I had to fight the ignition barrel each time I tried to start it as the 24 year old lock was well worn!

Like this quote...

"...The driving experience, drive a Jag, and everything else seems so rough, you waft along in your own world, with handling that could disgrace many sportier cars. You press on and the big cat really does dig its claws in. Making this barge, handle like a sporty saloon." Thanks to James Copp-Taylor on the Jaguar XJ40… He went on to end his blog entry with this: "To conclude, they’re going to be a classic car, no doubt about it. Why? Think about it. Last real Jaguar, a car of many technological firsts, the first Jaguar you could buy second hand, and actually afford to run! So many good reasons to buy one, and with prices so cheap, what you waiting for?" I also like this post from the same blog by Keith Adams

Catching up with previous owners

I have now caught up with all previous owners of this vehicle. First owned by Eldon Crouch from November 1990 to about 2005, it was then privately sold to David Henderson, who like me, had it as a weekend drive only. He had a good time with the car and then sold it to Kalliope Karetsian and her family. They also cared for it and I too will try to look after this classic car.

Jaguar XJ40 1990 model launch video. XJ6.

Some original marketing videos and a documentary

Found these on a forum Clip 1 These are a 3 part documentary Clip A Clip B Clip C Top Gear 1 and very young Clarkson A nice history of the company here and for a touch of comedy from "One Foot in the Grave"

History of the car

I know it was built in Browns Lane, Coventry in February 1990 and was bought from Solitaire Motors, Belair Road,Hawthorn on the 2nd November 1990. It is White with Saville Grey leather upholstery and burr walnut timber etc. The retail price at the time was an incredible $125,325. I could not believe this price (see Redbook.com.au link),and so spoke to the RAA Technical Information staff who verified the same price from the subscription trade publication, Glass's Guide! Wikipedia provides some history of this series of Jaguar The original owner also said the price was about that although he organised his own discount. I have spoken to that owner Eldon C. and he has provided me with some of its history for me. He travelled widely around Australia with it. Its been to Perth on the Indian Pacific and to Darwin and back,via the Ghan and Alice Springs. It was used by his own daughter for her wedding and lent to others for the same purpose.

Close up views

Playing with some filters and close up views

A spot of detailing by Hugh

I dropped the Jaguar off for number 2 son Hugh, to do his excellent detailing work, which he did very well.

"You know what I have gone and done? I have put the genuine brake pads in!"

My eldest son Dave reminded me of this classic line from a great Australian film for car lovers, especially Jaguar owners,

The Big Steal with Steve Bisley as a hilarious car sales man, Gordon Farkas. Enjoy the clip click here.

I explored Carsales.com.au and also on Gumtree.com. This is where I found my new lovely old car at Mile End. I located a 1990 XJ40 Jaguar Sovereign being sold by Nick on behalf of his mature age mother, the proverbial little old lady, or so it seemed. (It was!!). Kalliope and her family were nice to deal with. Thanks for a good deal and nice car I took a look on a Saturday morning, heard it running and I was happy. I made an offer on the price, and they were happy. I gave myself some time to think about it and sent my son Hugh to take a look to see what he thought. His call came back, buy it. I spent the Sunday afternoon chasing comprehensive insurance quotes. Gave Shannon's a miss as their quote was about 7 times dearer than SGIC Classic Vehicle insurance for my agreed value. Their quote was predicated on my having it garaged, so I was praying that the extra length of the saloon over my Toyota Camry. This insurance rate is available for vehicles over 15 years of age used as weekend drives etc. Here is how it looked pre purchase:

My first Jaguar! But not this one!!

I had been looking at cars during my summer break and visited a local slightly down market car yard and saw an elderly 1979 XJ6 Series 3, took it for a test drive with a mature age salesperson, Ken. I enjoyed the test drive, but not the car. Ken was enthusiastic and he said he also owned a Jaguar. However it was $5,000 and to me a little tired, but I was hooked! So the search began...